Lenese Rogers reads a story to a group of children at a child development center on Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Nov. 9, 2023. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Todd)
By: FEDweek StaffService members could be reimbursed as much as $1,500 for travel expenses related to providing temporary childcare during permanent change of station (PCS) moves, under a three-year pilot program.
Those eligible should be able to demonstrate that childcare availability at new duty stations will not be available within 30 days of their report date. The reimbursement would be used for hiring their own provider in the meantime, as well as transportation-related expenses. To qualify, servicemembers should first apply for childcare at their new duty station through the military childcare web site.
“If the scheduling shows that care could not be provided within 30 days of the member’s report date, then the member would become eligible to bring a childcare provider to their permanent duty station to look after the child while the member reports to work and their spouse begins to do all those things like unpacking or finding their next job,” said Christopher Woods, chief of the policy branch within the Defense Travel Management Office.
Family members typically are chosen to serve as temporary caregivers, but the reimbursement is not limited to them alone. Au pairs, for example, could also qualify. The reimbursement is not intended to pay for room and board or a salary for the caregiver.
The pilot program began Oct. 1 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2027.
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